Chapter 16 When the Past Refuses to Die
The ghosts of 2022 had long been buried — or so Janani thought. But some wounds don’t heal. They wait, in silence, for the right time to reopen Anonymous Instagram accounts started appearing — posting indirect captions, resharing old photos, whispering old rumours in new words. Janani froze the first time she saw one. That tone… that language… she knew. > “It’s them,” she whispered. “Ram and Leela.” Even after three years, they still hadn’t let her go. This time, they didn’t just want to hurt her — they wanted to isolate her. Slowly, stories spread across campus. Subtle accusations. Half-truths. People who once stood beside her — her friends — began to change sides. Rishi never came. He didn’t even ask what happened back then. He watched from a distance, maybe with guilt, maybe with relief — but never with courage. When she needed him the most, he chose silence. But Janani wasn’t alone this time — at least, not at first. Her close friend Kayal, and her brother-figure Nainar, stood w...